Reviving & Reliving the music of 50 years ago

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Our Top 10 of Dylan's "Girl From The North Country"

Words By: Sam Pethers | March 2nd, 1965

50 Years Ago this week, Bob Dylan gave a press conference in Austin, Texas, during which he was asked about how his new music compared to his earlier folk albums, specifically the song "Girl From The North Country." Dylan responded, "I wish I could write like "Girl from the North Country." You know, I can't write like that any more."

"I wish I could write like "Girl from the North Country." You know, I can't write like that any more.​"

In December of 1962, a twenty-one-year-old Bob Dylan crossed the Atlantic Ocean where he became exposed to traditional English folk music. He was working on material for his new album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, at the time. Consequently, some of the songs on the album were heavily influenced by this style — notably, "Girl From The North Country", which was inspired by the English traditional, "Scarborough Fair".

Here are our Top 10 versions of "Girl From The North Country". Enjoy, and let us know in the Facebook comments what would have made your list.

10

Neil Young (2014)

9

Rod Stewart (2010)

8

Altan (2000)

7

The Clancy Brothers (1972)

6

The Vasco Era (2007)

5

Hugues Aufray (1965)

4

Joe Cocker (1970)

3

The Waterboys (1988)

2

Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash (1968)

1

Bob Dylan (1963)

Gaslight Records is a way of reviving and reliving the music of 50 Years Ago. Unlike any other music site, everything you'll hear or read about on Gaslight Records will be sourced from music that is at least 50 years old.